Chapter 117 - Shadow
Inside a private chamber at Oriental Lychee Tavern.
Seated gracefully at the head of the table was a young woman in a pristine white ensemble, her waist adorned with an exquisite gold and silver sword. Her beautiful countenance remained placid, but behind those monochromatic eyes, a subtle hint of bewilderment lingered.
Kneeling respectfully before her were two unremarkable cultivators of the God Forming Stage.
Both appeared to be in their thirties or forties, attired in matching Daoist robes. Adorned with purple-gold coronets and sporting tasseled longswords, it was evident they hailed from the same sect.
One of these cultivators, tall and bright-eyed, exuded an air of refinement. He casually fanned himself with a folding fan, which oddly enough seemed entirely fitting within the tavern's ambiance.
The other cultivator had a square visage, angular and stern, resembling an upstanding individual who had been reluctantly dragged into such a place.
In truth, they were performing these roles.
The carefree-looking scholar bore the name Dai Tu, while the seemingly upright one answered to Mo Meng. Both had arrived in Night's Fall Sword City just a month before the Chao Chao Sword Listening Ceremony, hailing from a middle-tier sect known as Peach Blossom Temple.
During this month, they had played the roles of ordinary Immortal Cultivators, intent on witnessing the grandeur of the Chao Chao Listening Sword Sect. They had explored the renowned attractions of Night's Fall Sword City, lodging mostly at the Livingbow Residence. In their leisure hours, they would occasionally visit Oriental Lychee Tavern for amusement.
Unbeknownst to others, these two were, in fact, spies dispatched by the Devil Cult to infiltrate Night's Fall Sword City.
Today had initially been an uneventful day. They continued their undercover duties as usual, posing as protectors of a Devil Cult branch. However, the two with higher standing suddenly sensed the arrival of a messenger, causing the demonic energy within their meridians to surge.
In the blink of an eye, they spotted the Saint Ambassador inexplicably appearing in the tavern's corridor.
Though they had encountered him only once before, they could never mistake the Saint Ambassador who had shadowed the Saint Lady all this while.
Furthermore, the demonic Qi within them seemed eager to yield, rendering them unable to resist.
Upon confirming that the saintess resided in the room they had reserved, the two immediately comprehended the situation. So, that was the explanation!
The presence of the Lord Saint Messenger here couldn't be a mere coincidence. Especially considering their upcoming mission, there was only one plausible explanation!
It seemed that the Lord Saint Messenger had come specifically to oversee their operation and gather a progress report.
Without delay, Dai Tu and Mo Meng stepped forward, communicating respectfully through voice transmission, “Greetings, Saint Ambassador.”
Yijun raised an eyebrow inquisitively.
The girl who had been discreetly shadowing and observing Guo Fan gave the two of them a puzzled look.
However, Dai Tu and Mo Meng appeared to grasp the situation fully. With a casual and discreet glance around, they subtly opened the room's door and continued, “Saint Messenger, please enter. Our mission is nearly complete. Once the Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference commences, our plan will proceed smoothly…”
Yijun halted in her tracks.
Although she wasn't privy to the details of the cult's mission in this location, she did know that Guo Fan would be participating in the Tide-watching Sword-listening Conference in a few days…
Her mother had tasked her with protecting Guo Fan, so if she perceived a significant threat, she was obligated to eliminate it, regardless of who it was.
The young girl nodded impassively and entered the room. Recalling her mother's typical demeanor, she calmly stated, “You both have done well.”
Overjoyed, the two of them knelt before her and expressed their gratitude, “Thank you for your commendation, Lord Saint Ambassador.”
Yijun took a seat at the head of the table within the room and casually remarked, “Your plan.”
Dai Tu and Mo Meng briefly puzzled over Yijun's manner of speaking. After a moment, they realized she wanted them to discuss their plans and arrangements.
However, the Lord Saint Messenger was truly deserving of the title. His words were straightforward and concise, without any superfluous details.
Yijun occupied a seat near the window, with a view of the street outside. Distracted, she noticed that she could still see Guo Fan on the street.
However, for some inexplicable reason, he found himself stepping into the Oriental Lychee Tavern.
The girl regarded him with an emotionless gaze, momentarily suspecting that he intended to seek the company of a woman in the brothel.
Unconsciously, her delicate brows furrowed.
The private room's decorations exuded a unique simplicity. There were no ostentatious muslin curtains or extravagant furnishings, just tables, chairs, teapots, and a modest screen. Adjacent to them stood a slightly taller small table, likely intended for servants to engage in leisurely play or dance.
Other than that, it appeared much like the rooms in regular inns.
In reality, the Oriental Lychee Tavern resembled ordinary inns, providing lodging and meals at exorbitant prices paid in Soul jewels. It catered to a clientele of high financial means, as ordinary cultivators rarely frequented the establishment. It was a place to occasionally savor something unconventional.
Among the Oriental Lychee Tavern's patrons were some who didn't trade their skills or bodies. Many of them had been Immortal cultivators in the past, some hailing from sects that had crumbled. Others had been pushed into a corner by intermediate Immortal sects following their decline, ultimately finding refuge aboard the Soul Haunt Ship.
“Lord Saint Envoy, our plan is proceeding smoothly. After the Wide Ocean Sect's exposure, Zheng Dao heightened his vigilance and resumed purging Holy Cult spies. Little did they know that this was a boon for us. Outwardly, these righteous path individuals claim to be eradicating spies, but in reality, they exploit the chaos to eliminate dissenters. There's much activity in the open and in the shadows. Conversely, the work of many Holy Cult operatives proceeds without hindrance.”
A proud, cold smile graced Dai Tu's countenance. “These self-righteous factions are hastening their own downfall. Sooner or later, this world will belong to us, the Holy Cult!”
Yijun nodded, taking mental note to convey this information to Guo Fan later.
Mo Meng, wearing the smirk of a villain, chimed in, “However, as they focus all their attention on these matters, they've conveniently forgotten that the Holy Cult members are not just spies. This time, we'll redirect the flow of the flood in Ice-Crowned Heights entirely. The resulting force when the tide collides will rival the full-powered attack of a high-level cultivator. Then, we shall obliterate the Grand Meeting entirely. As for us… We'll seize Gong Wei, the head of the ten famous swords being showcased. He shall be ours!”
This devilish cultivator grew increasingly fervent, as if foreseeing his future contributions to the devil religion.
“Well done,” the girl continued to speak with an impassive demeanor. Yet, she suddenly sensed that Guo Fan had entered the inner hall of the Oriental Lychee Tavern and was engaging in activities she had previously witnessed with two other women.
What an unfit father.
“Rest assured, Lord Saint Messenger! We have arranged all the personnel and the operation is progressing smoothly. When the time comes, we shall have the means to lay waste to Night's Fall Sword City immediately!” Both of them proclaimed confidently.
Yijun furrowed her brow, struggling to find any other words to add. After a brief pause, she could only give a reluctant nod and mutter, “Alright.”
“We're truly grateful for your trust, Lord Saint Messenger! We won't disappoint you!”
Their excitement surged even higher, and their faces twisted into sinister smiles. The atmosphere inside the private room grew increasingly tense.
……
As they escorted Yijun back to the corridor, they coincidentally encountered Yueh, who had been searching for her. The undercover guard delivered a brief message, “Your father has requested your presence.”
Yijun sniffled and nodded with a neutral expression. She touched the hilt of her sword and commented, “Father's scent.”
Yueh “…”
Was there something unusual about this daughter?
The covert guard's ears turned crimson once more. He led the way ahead, unsure of how to react.
Yijun began to count. This was her eighth aunt.
The young girl suddenly fretted that she might not have enough rooms in the future to accommodate everyone.
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